By Andrew Kariuki |
The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi has acquitted former Nairobi Governor Dr. Evans Kidero, alongside nine co accused persons, in a Ksh213 million graft case citing lack of sufficient evidence.
Delivering the ruling, Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Magistrate Victor Wakumile held that the prosecution had failed to prove the 17 counts of corruption leveled against Kidero, former County Finance Chief Jimmy Kiamba, ex County Secretary Lilian Ndegwa and others over alleged payments to companies for undelivered goods and services.
“With regard to counts one through seventeen, all the accused persons are hereby acquitted under Section 210 of the Criminal Procedure Code,” ruled Magistrate Wakumile.
However, the court found that Stephen Ogago Osiro, the former Nairobi County Head of Accounting, has a case to answer, noting that there was enough evidence to warrant his defence on the charges.
The ruling effectively clears Dr. Kidero and his co accused of the long running graft allegations that had been before the court for several years, while Osiro will now proceed to defend himself as the trial continues.
vans Kidero was elected the first governor of Nairobi County in 2013 on an ODM ticket. His tenure was immediately mired in controversy after Ferdinand Waititu, his election rival, filed a petition alleging electoral malpractice.
The Court of Appeal initially ousted Kidero, but the Supreme Court later reinstated him after overturning the decision on appeal. In the 2017 elections, Kidero lost the governorship to Mike Sonko.
In August 2018, Kidero was arrested on charges including abuse of office, money laundering, and bribery. By October of the same year, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) confirmed investigations into alleged embezzlement of public funds during his time at Nairobi County and Mumias Sugar Company.
EACC reports indicate that Kidero’s total assets are valued at around Sh9 billion, placing him under continued public and legal scrutiny for his financial dealings in both public office and corporate roles.
